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Stephen Harper said it would be easy to cut $11-billion from the federal budget and claimed Canada for the Conservatives. He and Helena Guergis continued to disagree. Ethnically attired extras were invited to pose with the Prime Minister, while student votes in Guelph were challenged and then redeemed.

Canadian Press obtained the first draft of the Auditor General’s report on the G8-related spending in Tony Clement’s riding. The Conservatives leaked a second draft. John Baird lauded the symbolism of publicly funded toilets. Jack Layton asked for the final report to be released and everyone agreed, except the Auditor General, who decided it had to wait until Parliament returns.

The judges reviewing detainee documents decided nothing could be disclosed until Parliament reconvened. Rick Mercer talked about satire. Bob Rae talked about the Liberal-NDP accord in Ontario. Canadians explained what they would find acceptable from the next Parliament. The Conservatives misappropriated the Auditor General’s words. There was still more drama in little Vaughan. And I spent a day with Stephane Dion.

Mr. Ignatieff continued to lead the race to be prime minister of Facebook.

Mark D. Jarvis explained how to fix Parliament. Johannes Wheeldon considered the lessons of prison debates. Alison Loat posed three questions for the party leaders. Mike Moffatt questioned post-dated promises. Adam Chapnik made a case for the per-vote subsidy. Frances Woolley ruminated on vote-swapping and pondered crime reduction. And, for all those readers who have long wondered about the sound of my voice, I talked about our parliamentary democracy on The Agenda.

Guergis-smearing – well, so says she. If the accusations against her are all lies, then that is indeed bad. As far as I can tell, the full story has not been told yet (though I readily admit I have not been following this one too closely)

no eye-contact debating – the fact that you include this on your list goes a long way to undermine any credibility you may pretend to have on judging this PM's actions.

F-35 fiscal wasting – hardly a consensus view. In fact, the only consensus view is that we need to replace our planes.

detainee-doc stalling – yes again, some of us just take the view that this is hardly worthy of being labelled a dictator and hater of democracy and all that other stuff.

And no, I'm not some apathetic loser who is brainwashed by Harper's great charisma. That's a common refrain of the anti-Harper crowd when they have nothing else constructive to say.

Yes, what a week.
Iggy finds a racist in his midst, fails to remove him.
Iggy lies about voting in foreign elections.
Iggy once condemns, then praises Guergis.
Iggy hides his cap and trade policy.
Iggy makes comments on leaked stolen report.
Iggy resurrects "Hidden Agenda".
Iggy channels Mao.
Iggy's attendance record noticed by NDP.
All that and more in one week, although you may have missed it after being distracted by something shiny,

Yes, what a week.
Iggy finds a racist in his midst, fails to remove him.
Iggy lies about voting in foreign elections.
Iggy once condemns, then praises Guergis.
Iggy hides his cap and trade policy.
Iggy makes comments on leaked stolen report.
Iggy resurrects "Hidden Agenda".
Iggy channels Mao.
Iggy's attendance record noticed by NDP.
All that and more in one week, although you may have missed it after being distracted by something shiny,

Guergis-smearing – well, so says she. If the accusations against her are all lies, then that is indeed bad. As far as I can tell, the full story has not been told yet (though I readily admit I have not been following this one too closely)

no eye-contact debating – the fact that you include this on your list goes a long way to undermine any credibility you may pretend to have on judging this PM's actions.

F-35 fiscal wasting – hardly a consensus view. In fact, the only consensus view is that we need to replace our planes.

detainee-doc stalling – yes again, some of us just take the view that this is hardly worthy of being labelled a dictator and hater of democracy and all that other stuff.

And no, I'm not some apathetic loser who is brainwashed by Harper's great charisma. That's a common refrain of the anti-Harper crowd when they have nothing else constructive to say.

It's about time we have someone who truly knows what he's talking about when the subject of "undemocratic" ways is brought up. From a unique vantage point that not many in the democratic process can attest to.

One who is able to LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

The starting point was being annointed leader of a party who's elite politbureau refused to allow its members to vote for anyone else.

From these important seeds sprouted a "leader" who would go on to miss the vast majority of those sacred "votes" on parliament,

so that one day, he could truly appreciate what it is to speak of being "undemocratic", truly know what it means to show disrespect for parliament and the people that put him in office to vote on their behalf.

So now,

let us "rise up".

Rise up!

Rise up!!!!!

And pay heed to the words of the man who truly knows from FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE what he's talking about.

It's about time we have someone who truly knows what he's talking about when the subject of "undemocratic" ways is brought up. From a unique vantage point that not many in the democratic process can attest to.

One who is able to LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

The starting point was being annointed leader of a party who's elite politbureau refused to allow its members to vote for anyone else.

From these important seeds sprouted a "leader" who would go on to miss the vast majority of those sacred "votes" on parliament,

so that one day, he could truly appreciate what it is to speak of being "undemocratic", truly know what it means to show disrespect for parliament and the people that put him in office to vote on their behalf.

So now,

let us "rise up".

Rise up!

Rise up!!!!!

And pay heed to the words of the man who truly knows from FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE what he's talking about.

And Harpers example would be…stab Peter McKay in the back, gain leadership by lying to his OWN members, lie to Canadians constantly, hire a criminal as your top advisor, hire republican strategists,… there's too many to list….. RISE UP CANADA, RISE UP AND REJECT HARPER

? That seems to demonstrate exactly….nothing. Who cares about the partisan nature of the source? Fact is, it appears to be two tweets with no chronological link and an unsubstantiated claim, followed by harumphs and grumbles from the partisan commentariat.

And Harpers example would be…stab Peter McKay in the back, gain leadership by lying to his OWN members, lie to Canadians constantly, hire a criminal as your top advisor, hire republican strategists,… there's too many to list….. RISE UP CANADA, RISE UP AND REJECT HARPER

I'd like to direct some questions to Mr Igantief that
I feel a significant number of Canadians may want answered with two weeks to go in this campaign. (I'm sure somebody in the Liberal campaign will read this). Who are you? What are you doing here anyway? Who do you really work for? Are you American? Canadian? Russian? Were you elected by any of us? I mean, even dyed-in-the-wool Liberals and the media haven't asked you this. Are we some sort of social experiment that you are here to play with? What's the deal? Is it Cap and Trade for foreign interests? What? Speak up, we can't hear you. Otherwise, go home (wherever that is)!

I'd like to direct some questions to Mr Igantief that
I feel a significant number of Canadians may want answered with two weeks to go in this campaign. (I'm sure somebody in the Liberal campaign will read this). Who are you? What are you doing here anyway? Who do you really work for? Are you American? Canadian? Russian? Were you elected by any of us? I mean, even dyed-in-the-wool Liberals and the media haven't asked you this. Are we some sort of social experiment that you are here to play with? What's the deal? Is it Cap and Trade for foreign interests? What? Speak up, we can't hear you. Otherwise, go home (wherever that is)!

Actually to use your very questions I say this to Harper "Who are you? What are you doing here anyway? Who do you really work for?" his republican policies do not belong in Canada. He hires republican strategists, copies republican ads and speaches, meets with the Ex. Director of Fox News, and on and on. Who is the American here? Harper wins that one hands down. These are not allegations, they are facts. As far as your cap and trade for foreign interests question, it's cap and trade for humanity bud. Beats the sh*t out of Harper giving away our resources to foriegn interests. Canadian do not want Harper to 'Americanize' our country but you do not seam to have a problem with that! If you like and want American policies move to America.

Why is Ignatieff channeling an American artist citing American cultural references? We have Canada's own Lorraine Segato and Parachute Club, whose anthem to rising up is equally stirring:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ25vb2cXKY

Why is Ignatieff channeling an American artist citing American cultural references? We have Canada's own Lorraine Segato and Parachute Club, whose anthem to rising up is equally stirring:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ25vb2cXKY

Having independent thoughts is my trade mark, and I consistently back them up with independent action:

I have never applied, nor have I ever been handed a job provided by the government.

I have never relied on daycare to look after my own kids

When I reach retirement age, I will be able to survive without goverment pensions (and without company pensions also)

When my aging mother needs me, I will be able to take the time off (unpaid) in order to tale care of her, as would other members of my family be able to do so. In fact, as family members we would be working in cooperation to look after my aging mother's needs.

I don't need governments to look after me. But like I said, if anyone of you here can convince me to switch over to believing in Ignatieff's proposed provisions, please do so: convince me!

I have never relied on daycare to look after my own kids. I didn't expect a tax exemption to do so either. By the time Mulroney and Michael Wilson came about and made family allowances universally accessible as opposed to universal, the hubby could support our family. The family allowances were clawed back 100%. I never expected that taxpayers would salute our wealth by affording us tax exemptions to prove that we could support our family or money from the government to salute the fact that my husband is a high-earning professional who could well afford to maintain a wife and four children on one salary.

We have paid for our four children`s sport activities, their arts classes without expecting a tax exemption. We are wealthy and could do this without the government's help.

I am very close to retirement and if everything goes according to plan any contributions we have made to old age pension will be 100% clawed back, I am not bitter about this, and about the fact that what we have paid will go towards financing less fortunate Canadians' retirement; instead, I thank the Lord everyday for our health and our wealth and I am happy to contribute in the best way possible to help those who are less fortunate.

So, is your point that Harper should be rewarded for increasing spending to buy middle class votes while cutting our taxes and leading future generations further into debt?

If your personality is fully integrated and free of mental disorder, you will be immune from thought control by the government of the day, the deity of your particular convictions, or aliens. I'm pretty sure of that (belief that one has lost the capacity for independent thought is often a symptom of schizophrenia).

In addition, if you are able to pursue the livelihood of your choice, while free from concern about the happiness and safety of your children, as well as the care of your vulnerable elders, you may be free to a) make more money b) expand your potential c) fill in the blank

I am questioning specifically why the government should provide us with such freedom from concern.

A truly independent individual would be proud to find such freedom from concern on an individual basis, coming about out of being a creative self, independent of government's promises to buy us freedom of concern with our own money. As an individual I would much prefer to spend my own earned money on being able to buy freedom from concern myself.

Such could include the choice of having to make less money in order to take care of growing children. It's really all about the choices we make.

"A truly independent individual would be proud to find such freedom from concern on an individual basis, coming about out of being a creative self, independent of government's promises to buy us freedom of concern with our own money."

I suspect that you wouldn't survive more than a few days (depending on the season) in such an environment.

Emily, that's what I like so much about you: you never seem to be able to defend yourself on your own. You always come out of the woodworks when the path has been cleared for you. You like to ambush me when the path has been cleared by your compatriots.

You are quite the little warrior. It gives me pleasure to see you jump out of the woods. No surprise element though. Why not put in some element of surprise next time. That would impress me!

FVerhoeven on April 17, 2011 at 1:10 am

I simply called your bluff.

Now try to fold without looking stupid.

OriginalEmily1 on April 17, 2011 at 1:13 am

People made out of paper could fold easily enough.

I'm not made out of paper.

FVerhoeven on April 17, 2011 at 1:33 am

You're still here…you folded.

OriginalEmily1 on April 17, 2011 at 1:34 am

Double dare me!

FVerhoeven on April 17, 2011 at 1:03 am

I double dog dare you with sprinkles on.

OriginalEmily1 on April 17, 2011 at 1:14 am

Ah, you're the cook! Does the fighting crew appreciate your cooking?

Sprinkles, eh! I bet they are impressed with the desserts you serve! And well, why shouldn't they be impressed? Sprinkles add that caring touch.

:)

FVerhoeven on April 17, 2011 at 1:23 am

Either take the dare, or vacate the field.

OriginalEmily1 on April 17, 2011 at 1:25 am

Oh, Emily, don't be cruel; I'm having too much fun!

Grant me a little bit of fun.

FVerhoeven on April 17, 2011 at 1:30 am

You can have all the fun you want packing your bags.

I'll have fun by not having to listen to your fantasies anymore.

Win-win.

Ciao

OriginalEmily1 on April 17, 2011 at 1:33 am

(pppssst, Emily…..I will say this very quietly, so no one else will be catching our little secret: you can have fun anytime you want to – no one is forcing you to read my posts – but wouldn't that be a loose-loose……. :))))

FVerhoeven on April 17, 2011 at 1:37 am

And what is not a secret is that you are origami by now.

OriginalEmily1 on April 17, 2011 at 1:44 am

It's funny that a Harper supporter would even mention 'independant thoughts'?

Proud Canadian on April 17, 2011 at 7:39 am

That's a totally silly challenge unless you're prepared to go off the grid and be totally self-sufficient from the government-supplied amenities you apparently take for granted.

Come back with a grown-up argument or head for the woods.

neuroticdog on April 17, 2011 at 1:22 am

Got your tummy full of deliciously sprinkled desserts? Good feeling, eh, a full tummy! Ready to do battle for another day.

In order to fight an opponent succesfully, you will need to know your opponent. And you don't have a clue as to who I am or what I am capable of. Off the grid? Easy! Don't make me out to be a whimp!

FVerhoeven on April 17, 2011 at 1:27 am

FVerhoeven is now in major fail, and has vacated the field

Either that or she's moving to Somalia

Either way, we win.

OriginalEmily1 on April 17, 2011 at 1:29 am

Come on now, brooster2, who are you trying to fool?

Governments have not invented electricity.

Governments have not installed the grid either

And governments do not have to tell me whether I should use the grid or not.

Being an adult means that we should not take choices for granted, and above all, being an adult means we have nothing but choices to make. It's really that simple.

FVerhoeven on April 17, 2011 at 2:08 am

The grid you take for granted wouldn't be there without government support. Do some homework.

neuroticdog on April 17, 2011 at 2:13 am

No one? Perhaps you might occasionally practice a habit of speaking for yourself, rather than as self-appointed matron of the wherryboards.

And acknowledging one's cultural references is not necessarily a symptom of parochialism. It can also be evidence of being attuned to themes that accurately reflect one's time and place.

Due to an large influx of queries relating to the call to "Rise up, Rise up, Rise up", the following is an important clarifying statement.

At no time are you to "Rise up, Rise up, Rise up" if said rising up is in relation to a vote that is not for Mr. Ignatieff.

Many of our right leaning voters have been inspired to "Rise Up" and vote for Mr. Harper, while many other left leaning Liberals have likewise signified a desire to change to the NDP. Be advised that to do so would be an innappropriate upward rise and that such actions are in no way sanctioned by the party.

Given the confusion, the general call to "Rise up, Rise up, Rise up" is hereby retracted and henceforth replaced with simply "Vote Liberal". Or alternatively, "don't vote at all if you can't hold your nose and vote for Mr. Ignatieff."

Due to an large influx of queries relating to the call to "Rise up, Rise up, Rise up", the following is an important clarifying statement.

At no time are you to "Rise up, Rise up, Rise up" if said rising up is in relation to a vote that is not for Mr. Ignatieff.

Many of our right leaning voters have been inspired to "Rise Up" and vote for Mr. Harper, while many other left leaning Liberals have likewise signified a desire to change to the NDP. Be advised that to do so would be an innappropriate upward rise and that such actions are in no way sanctioned by the party.

Given the confusion, the general call to "Rise up, Rise up, Rise up" is hereby retracted and henceforth replaced with simply "Vote Liberal". Or alternatively, "don't vote at all if you can't hold your nose and vote for Mr. Ignatieff."

Having independent thoughts is my trade mark, and I consistently back them up with independent action:

I have never applied, nor have I ever been handed a job provided by the government.

I have never relied on daycare to look after my own kids

When I reach retirement age, I will be able to survive without goverment pensions (and without company pensions also)

When my aging mother needs me, I will be able to take the time off (unpaid) in order to tale care of her, as would other members of my family be able to do so. In fact, as family members we would be working in cooperation to look after my aging mother's needs.

I don't need governments to look after me. But like I said, if anyone of you here can convince me to switch over to believing in Ignatieff's proposed provisions, please do so: convince me!

If your personality is fully integrated and free of mental disorder, you will be immune from thought control by the government of the day, the deity of your particular convictions, or aliens. I'm pretty sure of that (belief that one has lost the capacity for independent thought is often a symptom of schizophrenia).

In addition, if you are able to pursue the livelihood of your choice, while free from concern about the happiness and safety of your children, as well as the care of your vulnerable elders, you may be free to a) make more money b) expand your potential c) fill in the blank

I am questioning specifically why the government should provide us with such freedom from concern.

A truly independent individual would be proud to find such freedom from concern on an individual basis, coming about out of being a creative self, independent of government's promises to buy us freedom of concern with our own money. As an individual I would much prefer to spend my own earned money on being able to buy freedom from concern myself.

Such could include the choice of having to make less money in order to take care of growing children. It's really all about the choices we make.

"A truly independent individual would be proud to find such freedom from concern on an individual basis, coming about out of being a creative self, independent of government's promises to buy us freedom of concern with our own money."

I suspect that you wouldn't survive more than a few days (depending on the season) in such an environment.

Emily, that's what I like so much about you: you never seem to be able to defend yourself on your own. You always come out of the woodworks when the path has been cleared for you. You like to ambush me when the path has been cleared by your compatriots.

You are quite the little warrior. It gives me pleasure to see you jump out of the woods. No surprise element though. Why not put in some element of surprise next time. That would impress me!

(pppssst, Emily…..I will say this very quietly, so no one else will be catching our little secret: you can have fun anytime you want to – no one is forcing you to read my posts – but wouldn't that be a loose-loose……. :))))

Actually to use your very questions I say this to Harper "Who are you? What are you doing here anyway? Who do you really work for?" his republican policies do not belong in Canada. He hires republican strategists, copies republican ads and speaches, meets with the Ex. Director of Fox News, and on and on. Who is the American here? Harper wins that one hands down. These are not allegations, they are facts. As far as your cap and trade for foreign interests question, it's cap and trade for humanity bud. Beats the sh*t out of Harper giving away our resources to foriegn interests. Canadian do not want Harper to 'Americanize' our country but you do not seam to have a problem with that! If you like and want American policies move to America.

I have never relied on daycare to look after my own kids. I didn't expect a tax exemption to do so either. By the time Mulroney and Michael Wilson came about and made family allowances universally accessible as opposed to universal, the hubby could support our family. The family allowances were clawed back 100%. I never expected that taxpayers would salute our wealth by affording us tax exemptions to prove that we could support our family or money from the government to salute the fact that my husband is a high-earning professional who could well afford to maintain a wife and four children on one salary.

We have paid for our four children`s sport activities, their arts classes without expecting a tax exemption. We are wealthy and could do this without the government's help.

I am very close to retirement and if everything goes according to plan any contributions we have made to old age pension will be 100% clawed back, I am not bitter about this, and about the fact that what we have paid will go towards financing less fortunate Canadians' retirement; instead, I thank the Lord everyday for our health and our wealth and I am happy to contribute in the best way possible to help those who are less fortunate.

So, is your point that Harper should be rewarded for increasing spending to buy middle class votes while cutting our taxes and leading future generations further into debt?

? That seems to demonstrate exactly….nothing. Who cares about the partisan nature of the source? Fact is, it appears to be two tweets with no chronological link and an unsubstantiated claim, followed by harumphs and grumbles from the partisan commentariat.

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